Dental Assistant

Expanded Function Dental Assistant

Expanded function dental assistant is a profession with bright future ahead. The job of the Expanded Function Dental Assistant is to perform chair side assistant duties in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic, prosthodontic, and periodontal treatment as provided in general dentistry. The Expanded function dental assistant is also responsible for the maintenance of the dental equipment, making sure it's in fully operative and clean condition. The assistant is also responsible for the supplies, which should be in adequate levels. Another function is the use of dental x-ray equipment to take intra-/extra-oral radiographs and develop film. The assistant should also prepare patients and operatory, checking all instruments and materials required for the given treatment. Some of the additional duties include the making of temporary bridges and crowns, removal of sutures, performing light curettage and cavitron debridgement, and applying topical fluoride.

To be allowed to legally practice the profession of expanded function dental assistant, one must earn an Expanded Function Dental Assisting (EFDA) Associate Degree from an accredited college, such as Harcum (http://www.harcum.edu/) for example. The program is 2 years long, including 3 clinical internships. After learning the skills of an expanded function dental assistant, students receive intensive training in placing, contouring and finishing amalgam and composite restorations. They also learn how to place and remove rubber dams.

The demand for Expanded Function Dental Assistants is growing throughout the United States of America and this tendency is only expected to continue in the next decade, due to some pretty obvious reasons. First of all, the planet's population is increasing and by 2050, we will reach the 10 billion mark. So you will have 10 billion potential patients, which will cause a serious need for dentists and hence, assistants. As far as the working conditions are concerned, an expanded function dental assistant could work in a variety of dental settings, including dental clinics, hospitals, private practice, pediatric offices. Colleges like Harcum also offer Continuing Education courses in Expanded Function Dental Assisting for students who are currently working as a Dental Assistant.

Bottom line is that an Expanded Function Dental Assisting training program will prepare you to be an essential player of any dental team. Most programs take a communication-based approach to training. Upon graduation, you will be ready for the personable nature of dental assisting, because you will gain the essential skills you'll need in your career as a dental assistant. You can take courses that cover important functions such as: sterilization and infection control; preliminary examinations; patient comfort; charting; record management; dental X-rays; application of topical anesthetic and fluoride.

If you have studied at a univeristy for dental assistant, then wages are quite good. Receiving a diploma in this field means that you have what it takes to make it. There are different programs through which you can acquire the needed certificate. Learn while you can and dental assisting will be a breeze. Becoming a registered assistant is an absolute must.